Optical emission from a small scale model electric arc furnace in 250-600 nm region

Optical emission spectroscopy has been for long proposed for monitoring and studying industrial steel making processes. Whereas the radiative decay of thermal excitations is always taking place in high temperatures needed in steel production, one of the most promising environment for such studies are electric arc furnaces, creating plasma in excited electronic states that relax with intense characteristic emission in the optical regime. Unfortunately, large industrial scale electric arc furnaces also present a challenging environment for optical emission studies and application of the method is not straightforward. To study the usability of optical emission spectroscopy in real electric arc furnaces, we have developed a laboratory scale DC electric arc furnace presented in this paper. With the setup, optical emission spectra of Fe, Cr, Cr2O3, Ni, SiO2, Al2O3, CaO, and MgO were recorded in the wavelength range 250-600 nm and the results were analyzed with the help of reference data. The work demonstrates that using characteristic optical emission, obtaining in situ chemical information from oscillating plasma of electric arc furnaces is indeed possible. In spite of complications, the method could possibly be applied to industrial scale steel making process in order to improve its efficiency.

Estimated collective effective dose to the population from X-ray and nuclear medicine examinations in Finland

The collective effective doses to the population from X-ray and nuclear medicine (NM) examinations in Finland in 2008 and 2009, respectively, were estimated. The estimated collective effective dose per inhabitant was 0.45 mSv from X-ray examinations and 0.03 mSv from NM examinations. The collective effective doses per inhabitant have not changed substantially during the last 10 y. However, proportional dose due to CT examinations has increased from 50 % in 2005 to 58 % in 2009 of the total collective effective dose from all X-ray examinations and proportional dose of PET examinations from 7 to 13 % of the total collective effective dose from NM examinations. The collective effective dose from conventional plain radiography was over 20 % higher when estimated using the new (ICRP 103) tissue weighting factors than that obtained using the old (ICRP 60) tissue weighting factors.

Localization of the glucose phosphate isomerase gene to the p12----q21 segment of chromosome 6 in pig by in situ hybridization

The glucose phosphate isomerase (GPI) locus is closely linked to the halothane sensitivity locus in pig. The chromosomal localization of GPI in pig was confirmed to 6p12----q21 by using in situ hybridization. Of the total grains, 25 percent were located on chromosome 6, with about 65 percent clustered in the cent----q21 segment, suggesting the presence of the GPI gene on the very proximal part of the q arm. The efficiency of hybridization was found to be affected by ultraviolet irradiation of metaphases for RBA-banding before hybridization. The irradiated metaphases had higher background grains than the non-irradiated metaphases.

The effect of large anthropogenic particulate emissions on atmospheric aerosols, deposition and bioindicators in the eastern Gulf of Finland region

The effect of the emissions from large oil shale fuelled power plants and a cement factory in Estonia on the elemental concentration of atmospheric aerosols, deposition, elemental composition of mosses and ecological effects on mosses, lichens and pine trees in the eastern Gulf of Finland region has been studied. In addition to chemical analysis, fly ash, moss and aerosol samples were analysed by a scanning electron microscope with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM/EDS). The massive particulate calcium emissions, approximately 60 kton/year (1992), is clearly observed in the aerosols, deposition and mosses. The calcium deposition is largest next to the Russian border downwind from the power plants and in south-eastern part of Finland. This deposition has decreased due to the application of dust removal systems at the particulate emission sources. At the Virolahti EMEP station approximately 140 km north from the emission sources, elevated elemental atmospheric aerosol concentrations are observed for Al, Ca, Fe, K and Si and during episodes many trace elements, such as As, Br, Mo, Ni, Pb and V. The acidification of the soil is negligible because of the high content of basic cations in the deposition. Visible symptoms on pine trees are negligible. However, in moss samples close to the power plants, up to 25% of the leaf surface was covered by particles. Many epiphytic lichen species do not tolerate basic stemflow and on the other hand most species are also very sensitive for the SO2 content in air. Consequently a large lichen desert is found in an area of 2500 km2 in the vicinity of the power plants with only one out of the investigated 12 species growing.

A reciprocal translocation between autosomes 8 and 10 in a boar used for artificial insemination service and its effects on litter size

The low number of piglets per litter was the reason why a Finnish Yorkshire breed boar used for artificial insemination (AI) was taken for cytogenetic study. The boar had a reciprocal translocation between autosomes 8 and 10, resulting in a reduction in its litter size of about 19%. In addition the litter sizes were counted from 16 female offspring of this 2n = 38,XY; rcp(8;10)(p1.1;q1.3) boar.

Detection of the X chromosomes in a Klinefelter boar using a whole human X chromosome painting probe

In situ hybridization with an X chromosome specific painting probe can be used as a tool for studying the numerical and structural rearrangements of X chromosomes. The commercially available porcine specific X chromosome painting probe is still unable to reliably separate autosomes. However, due to across-species X chromosome homology, the human specific X chromosome painting probe can be used in the identification of X chromosomes in pig metaphases. The commercially available human X chromosome specific painting probe was hybridized to metaphase spreads in a Klinefelter boar with a 2n = 39, XXY karyotype to characterize the X chromosomes. Klinefelter syndrome with its effects on the male reproductive trait such as testicular hypoplasia, is under the genetic control of some sex-linked genes in the extra X chromosome which have escaped the X inactivation process. Chromosome analysis by chromosome painting using fluorescence in situ hybridization may in future be more widely used in veterinary medicine and the selection of breeding animals.

Localization of 18S + 28S and 5S ribosomal RNA genes in the dog by fluorescence in situ hybridization

The gene clusters encoding 18S + 28S and 5S rRNA in the dog (Canis familiaris) have been localized by using GTG-banding and fluorescence in situ hybridization. The 18S + 28S rDNA maps to chromosome regions 7q2.5-->q2.7, 17q1.7, qter of a medium-sized, not yet numbered autosome, and Yq1.2-->q1.3. Our data show that there is one cluster of 5S rDNA in the dog, which maps to chromosome region 4q1.4.

Testicular fine needle aspiration cytology as a diagnostic tool in dog infertility

The results of testicular aspirate cytology taken from clinical patients with a history of infertility were compared with the clinical and histological findings. Azoospermia was the most common and the most rewarding indication for the examination. Samples were also taken from cases with suspected testicular tumours, orchitis, epididymitis, severe oligo- and teratozoospermia, lack of libido and unilateral testicular atrophy. Histological and cytological findings were found to correlate well. Identification of cell types from normal germinal epithelium was relatively easy. No immediate adverse effects of aspiration were noted. Five normospermic dogs were monitored for two to six months after aspiration, and there were no marked deleterious effects on testicular consistency, testicular histology or semen characteristics. Testicular cytology obtained by fine needle aspiration may, at least to some extent, be used to assist clinical diagnosis, especially in azoospermic dogs and dogs with palpable changes of testicular tissue.

Autosomal trisomy in a heifer

A malformed Ayrshire heifer had one additional autosome in all the lymphocyte metaphases studied. Chromosome banding techniques showed the karyotype of the calf to be 2n = 61, XX, +24.

Slight prognathia of the lower jaw and peculiar abbrevations in the structure of the genitals were the most apparent anomalies, in addition to heart abnormalities, a poorly-closed urachus and slow growth rate.

A complex three breakpoint translocation in the domestic pig

A structural rearrangement involving three autosomes, numbers 2, 4 and 15, was transmitted from an A.I. boar of Finnish Landrace breed to its offspring. The boar was used extensively for breeding work; its phenotype was normal, and it had normal sexual functions and semen characteristics. However, because of the small size of its litters, blood samples were taken from the offspring for chromosome analysis.

XO syndrome in the mare

Only one X chromosome was found in each of the lymphocyte metaphases studied in an infertile mare. Karyotype analysis was made with the CBG and GTG banding techniques. The most obvious clinical abnormality was gonadal hypoplasia.

Embryonic development in the blue fox

Embryos from vixens at different stages of gestation were measured and photographed. Implantation was observed 16-18 days after breeding. Differentiation and the development of characteristic features were described and embryonic loss was studied in relation to number of corpora lutea.

Testicular feminization in the Finnish racoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides)

The clinical features of testicular feminization in the racoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) are reported. The condition is characterized by a normal male karyotype, but a mixed phenotype consisting of vulva, enlarged clitoris and scrotal testes. Partial spermatogenesis with a relative arrest at the first meiotic division was observed. The likely underlying genetic defect and mode of inheritance are discussed, together with implications for breeding programmes.

Styrene and acrylonitrile induced depression of hepatic nonprotein sulfhydryl content in various rodent species

Adult female mice, male rats, female hamsters and male guinea pigs received various doses of styrene (150-1000 mg/kg of body weight) and acrylonitrile (20-80 mg/kg of body weight) intraperitoneally. Both styrene and acrylonitrile caused a depression of the hepatic nonprotein sulfhydryl content. Mouse was the most vulnerable and rat the most resistant species to the effect of both of these two important plastic monomers.